FULL TIME; HURRICANES 31, CRUSADERS 22 - It's all over at Westpac Stadium in Wellington and the Hurricanes have brought to an end the Crusaders unbeaten streak in sensational style. After trailing for large portions of the game, the 'Canes would snatch the lead through Fifita with 10 minutes remaining before J.Barrett sealed the points with a late penalty goal. Ahead of finals, the Crusaders have some homework to do as they drop their first game of the year in a 31-22 loss to the 'Canes.

78'

It's a tale of the Barrett's as it's Scott who sees himself conceding a penalty for not releasing the ball carrier. With the chance to sink the Crusaders, up steps Jordie to thread the three points over the crossbar from close range which looks to have wrapped up the game for the 'Canes.

Barrett makes this one count for the locals as he lines up 30 centimetres inside the left sideline. On the right side for a right footer, Barrett has no dramas as he curls this one perfectly over the crossbar. With five minutes to run, the 'Canes stretch their lead to six points. Tense.

74'

CONVERSION! Hurricanes (Jordie Barrett). Hurricanes 28-22 Crusaders.

73'

HURRICANES BACK IN FRONT! A smart move down the left side for the 'Canes sees Fifita crossing as Laumape jinks in-and-out on his opponent. Able to draw in the cover defence, Laumape offloads late at the line which sees Fifita able to dive over tightly in the corner.

72'

TRY! Hurricanes (Vaea Fifita). Hurricanes 26-22 Crusaders.

70'

The allure of snatching the lead back is too much for Barrett as he elects for a shot at three from 55 metres out. Whilst his connection is fine, the ball fails for legs and drops to the right of the posts three metres out. Crusaders out of jail as they take it back to the 20m line.

Barrett is as calm and composed as you could imagine as he's presented with the chance to close the margin to one point. About 30 centimetres inside the right sideline, Barrett's kick is measured and clinical as it sails through at goalpost height over the black dot. Crusaders by a point; grandstand finish looming.

67'

CONVERSION! Hurricanes (Jordie Barrett). Hurricanes 21-22 Crusaders.

66'

That didn't take much time for the 'Canes to respond as they see themselves setting an attacking scum just 10 metres out. Wheeling away from the base of it is Perenara who angles towards the corner before presenting Goosen with a flat ball which he dives over with down the short side.

65'

TRY! Hurricanes (Wes Goosen). Hurricanes 19-22 Crusaders.

63'

Mo'unga takes an eternity to take this effort as he lines up adjacent to the right upright and only 18 metres out. With enough time to receive a phone call, Mo'unga finally decides to move in and strokes the ball over the crossbar nicely. Crusaders lead it by eight points with 17 minutes to go; your move Hurricanes.

61'

CONVERSION! Crusaders (Richie Mo'unga). Hurricanes 14-22 Crusaders.

59'

The visitors respond in style when threatened once again as Read delivers a perfect face ball from the base of the scrum. With J.Barrett rushing up in the line, it's Dagg who takes the ball cleanly, steps inside Barrett and races over from nine metres out. This one's free-flowing now; strap yourselves in.

57'

TRY! Crusaders (Israel Dagg). Hurricanes 14-20 Crusaders.

55'

The 'Canes lead is short-lived however as Riccitelli is asked not to put his hands in the ruck but still does so. With the resultant penalty, it's Mo'unga who stares down the barrel of a 46 metre effort. Struck clinically, this never looks in doubt and creeps inside the uprights from 10m inside the left sideline.

53'

PENALTY GOAL! Crusaders (Richie Mo'unga). Hurricanes 14-15.

51'

No issues whatsoever for Barrett who lines up directly in front and polishes off the prior good work of Savea. For the first time tonight, and perhaps deservingly given how honest they've been, the 'Canes have hit the front. It's a two-point game with 30 minutes left to run..

49'

CONVERSION! Hurricanes (Jordie Barrett). Hurricanes 14-12 Crusaders.

47'

Terrific start to the second half for the hosts as a crossfield kick from Black hits the ground out towards the left wing. Arriving with precision timing is J.Savea who looks to have knocked it on however is adjudged to have knocked it back as he takes the loose ball to cross from six metres out.

45'

TRY! Hurricanes (Julian Savea). Hurricanes 12-12 Crusaders.

41'

Underway in the second half in Wellington..

HT

HALF TIME; HURRICANES 7, CRUSADERS 12 - We're done for the first 40 minutes at Westpac Stadium and this one has basically gone to script as far as these encounters are concerned. With the Crusaders enjoing the vast majority of possession to open up an early 12-0 lead, the Hurricanes have persisted with being patient and have been rewarded partially. This one's sitting on a knife's edge and looks set to open up in the second half; it's the Crusaders with a slender five-point lead at the interval.

36'

Barrett with no issues with this effort as he's able to line up almost right in front. Taking the full measure of time allowed, Barrett pops over the three points on offer and closes the gap to five points. 'Canes have been good thus far but the Crusaders have had the bulk of possession.

34'

CONVERSION! Hurricanes (Jordie Barrett). Hurricanes 7-14 Crusaders.

32'

Much better from the hosts as they build patient phases on the Crusaders line before electing to move the ball wide. Positioned just inside their 22, it's Black who motors forward before releasing a last-ditch ball to Barrett who takes in the pass to scoot away from 27 metres out. Perfect.

30'

TRY! Hurricanes (Jordan Barrett). Hurricanes 5-12 Crusaders.

26'

Mo'unga with terrific skills as he lofts a midfield bomb into the stratosphere from deep inside the Hurricanes attacking half. With the ball falling dangerously, it's Tamanivalu who gets first hands to it but knocks it on under pressure 45m out. Game starting to open a little right now..

23'

Mo'unga can't quite work the distance or accuracy on this one as he lines up about five metres inside the right sideline. Struck cleanly enough, it drfits towards the crossbar but fades late and appears to have deflected off the post. In either case, it doesn't count. Crusaders by 12.

It's almost a replicate of the first five-pointer of the afternoon as Mo'unga guides play to the right. With a short ball popped to Shields, he eventually squeezes off an offload which Tamanivalu juggles before regathering to dot down from eight metres out. Hurricanes need to strike next; Crusaders are making it look easy.

17'

TRY! Crusaders (Seta Tamanivalu). Hurricanes 0-12 Crusaders.

14'

Referee Jackson already issuing cautions to both forward packs as he accuses both of deliberately losing their feet come scrum time. In both sides defence, it's pretty slippery underfoot so not too sure whether it's being done with any real intent.

12'

Little bit of a scrappy passage from both sides as Mo'unga fails to find touch with his kick. Run back into play by J.Savea, he launches into a midfield bomb which is eventually regathered by Black before he loses it forward. 'Canes with the scrum feed deep in Crusaders territory.

10'

Perfection from Mo'unga first up for the afternoon as he's asked to set up tightly on the right sideline. With little to no time taken with his set-up, Mo'unga moves in and drills the ball straight over the crossbar. A fast start for the Crusaders who lead it by seven inside the first 10 minutes..

8'

CONVERSION! Crusaders (Richie Mo'unga). Hurricanes 0-7 Crusaders.

6'

They're playing under advantage are the Crusaders but that doesn't stop a terrific passage unfolding. With Barrett and Taufua swapping neat short balls, the pentultimate pass finds Mo'unga who loops a ball to the far right for Tamanivalu to cross the line with from 12 metres out. Crazy.

4'

TRY! Crusaders (Seta Tamanivalu). Hurricanes 0-5 Crusaders.

1'

Our referee for tonight's encounter is Glen Jackson and with both sides stripped and ready, it's Jackson who swings us underway. It's the Hurricanes kicking off and the Crusaders moving from right to left in the first half..

Welcome to Westpac Stadium in Wellington as Round 17 brings us the eagerly awaited return clash between the Hurricanes and Crusaders. With the Crusaders holding the Hurricanes tryless the last time these two teams met in Round 12, revenge will surely be on the home team's mind. With Finals looming however, do both teams go all-out or conserve energy for next week? Let's find out as we await kick-off in five minutes..